Smartphone apps often have the answer to many of our pressing, daily questions. What is the weather forecast for the week? What’s the fastest way to get to your desired destination? 

Among the almost 3 billion apps available for download on Google Play Store (and just under 2 billion on the Apple App Store), there are plenty of health-related options.

A good percentage of them are extremely useful, as they allow you to order your repeat prescriptions or plan your gym workouts and routines from the comfort of your home.

However, there are also concerns that certain apps, specifically fitness and calorie-tracking portals, could be detrimental to people’s mental health. In what way?

Here, we explore how to engage with health-tracking apps in a positive, constructive manner, while also highlighting how they might affect your mental health if you overuse them.

Are health-tracking apps any good?

There are many reasons someone would want to use a health-monitoring tool. This could be anything from measuring your heart rate and counting how many steps you complete each day to keeping your food intake under control.

In 2022, 44% of the UK population used – at least once – a health-tracking app, meaning that it is a widespread practice among smartphone users.

This can be viewed as an encouraging statistic, as it suggests that Brits are actively trying to find ways to stay fit and healthy.

In fact, these applications can promote healthy behaviour and manage your fitness levels on the go, becoming a handy option when it comes to identifying a problem.

For example, if you rarely feel refreshed as you leave your bed in the morning, you could use a sleep-monitoring tool to discover whether you wake up, snore, or toss and turn during the night.

Likewise, if you often feel irritable and under the weather, these tools can be useful to pinpoint potential triggers and provide some simple, in-the-moment meditation tips. 

What’s more, health apps can help with the early detection of possible medical conditions. By keeping a close eye on some of your vital signs, from blood pressure to heart rate, these applications can spot warning signs of health problems.

This means that you can act in a timely fashion and seek medical attention to arrange a check-up for your own peace of mind.

With an all-round picture of your health and habits at hand, your doctor can make more informed decisions on any plans or treatment you may need.

Another positive aspect of health apps is that they allow you to improve your lifestyle routines.

People who use health-monitoring tools tend to be less sedentary than others and, on average, walk almost a mile more than those who don’t have a tracking application. 

The good thing about these trackers is that they also include features that give you the chance to share your progress and activity with family, friends, and fellow app users.

This social aspect can encourage you to stick to your goals, carry on with your healthy diet or daily jogs, and help receive moral support from other people to keep ploughing through.

How health-tracking apps could impact your mental health

On the whole, health apps can have a wide range of benefits. But it has also been found that not all health-tracking apps are as precise and reliable as they seem.

According to the NHS-backed study, only around 20% of all health and medical apps meet clinical standards, are safe from hackers, and are able to protect people’s records.

This could have a negative impact on people’s physical wellbeing, especially if they follow potentially inaccurate advice for an extended period of time.

Dr Harriet Leyland, Clinical Advisor from myGP, explains: “Ensuring patient safety should be the key priority to any healthcare app. It’s crucial for apps to carefully consider the implications of any features they develop and the benefits they are trying to deliver.”

As always, moderation is key. If you rely on health-tracking apps too much, they could take their toll on your mental health. For example, they can:

• Put too much pressure on you – Health-tracking apps can put pressure on people, spurring you to go out for an evening jog, regardless of the weather. Of course, most apps are designed to be motivational. But inciting you to fit in a run, even though you don’t feel like one, can make you feel bad and disappointed in yourself. What’s more, because some health-monitoring apps set out one-size-fits-all objectives, they don’t take into account whether you are physically able to carry out something or not. This can cause users to push themselves too far, which could, in turn, lead to avoidable injuries and put you off from exercising altogether.

• Make it harder for you to listen to your body – Let’s say, for instance, that you have downloaded a calorie-monitoring app that tells you when and how much you should eat. In this scenario, you may find it difficult to listen to your internal needs, as you are too concentrated on hitting specific targets. By doing this, you may end up ignoring symptoms of hunger or fullness, meaning that you are not considering what is right for your body at a certain moment in time. Experiencing prolonged feelings of hunger can make you feel tired and ill-tempered and, therefore, have a negative influence on your mental well-being.
• Backfire – People use health-monitoring apps to improve their wellbeing and look after their health. But at times, tools such as sleep-tracking devices can have the opposite effect and aggravate your situation. In fact, they can make people feel anxious about their sleep, especially if they are telling someone they are not getting enough hours of rest. The growing preoccupation with having a regular sleep pattern can even escalate into insomnia because extensive worrying prevents you from dozing off. In turn, lack of sleep comes with an array of disadvantages (i.e. tiredness, low self-esteem, stress, etc.), which can have a serious impact on how you cope with your daily duties.  

When looking for a solution to your issues, it is always important to seek the help of a professional. Yes, an app may help you figure out whether you may be sleep deprived or not.

However, only a doctor can formulate a diagnosis and offer the right treatment to cure whatever is affecting your overall wellbeing.

Health-tracking apps are a convenient, informative tool to monitor your overall well-being. The best way to make the most of them, however, is to take their tips with a pinch of salt, stick to diets and activities that you are comfortable with, and contact your GP for any in-depth guidance.

There’s a tendency to see self-care as more of a buzzword than an effective way to improve your wellbeing. But its benefits shouldn’t be underestimated. Self Care can reduce stress, help you sleep better, improve your coping skills and lift your mood.

By its nature, self-care is broad and can look different for everyone. For example, the repetitive motions of knitting can be as relaxing for some as it is frustrating for others. Nevertheless, at its core, self-care is about showing care for both your body and your brain, which helps to regulate your nervous system.

But what nearly everyone can relate to is that one of the most difficult things is finding the time in the day to do it. Here, with some insights from Richard Holmes, Director of minutes or less Wellbeing at private medical cover provider: Westfield Health, are six self-care activities you can do in 30.

Before beginning, it’s worth mentioning that these steps are designed to help but should not be used in place of seeing a healthcare professional. If you are struggling – please seek help.

1.      Yoga at home

While scientific research into the benefits of yoga is ongoing, it’s clear that this centuries-old practice can improve your physical and mental health. This makes it a perfect addition to your self-care routine, especially if you stay at home and follow an online session.

In the morning, 30 minutes of yoga can increase blood flow and gently warm up muscles, easing any aches and helping your body feel awakened and prepared for the day ahead.

When the day is done, the meditative nature of some poses and exercises can also help prepare your mind and body for sleep. Focus on sitting or lying down poses, as well as slow breathing exercises. Dim the lights and put on your pyjamas, so you can slip straight into bed afterwards.

2.      Walking or jogging

Weather permitting, taking a stroll or jogging around the block before or after work is a great way to grab 30 minutes of self-care in your day. Exposure to sunlight helps to stimulate the production of serotonin, one of the 4 ‘happy’ chemicals which can help to lift your mood and help you feel energised.

Walking also increases blood flow and blood circulation, which, like other forms of physical exercise, releases endorphins – another one of the brain’s happy chemicals. Over time a brief but brisk walk in the morning can build your endurance and help you to feel more alert and ready for the day.

After work, a walk can also help to disconnect your mind from the day and prepare you for relaxing in the evening.

3.      Make yourself a hot drink – and take time to enjoy it

It’s tempting to gulp down tea and coffee before leaving work but having a hot drink in your hand is a good opportunity just to sit and enjoy it. This idea is taken from the principles of hygge – the Danish concept of cosiness – which can also be seen as a form of self-care.

The hot drink itself can be soothing, while the quiet time can help you clear your mind and focus on the present. When doing this, it can be best to stick to low or caffeine-free drinks, especially in the evening. Caffeine is a well-known stimulant that increases activity in your nervous system. While this can help you feel more alert, it can also increase tension and anxiety and make it more difficult to fall asleep.

4.      Writing in a journal

There are several ways to journal, from a straightforward diary to a fully illustrated bullet journal. Whatever method you choose, 30 minutes or less each day can help to reduce stress, provide relief from anxious thoughts, as well as help you process emotions.

By putting your thoughts to paper (or a document on your computer), you are releasing pressure on your mind. At the beginning of your day, writing down your daily tasks can help to organise your thoughts. Alternatively, using your journal for writing down positive thoughts and affirmations can give you something positive to look back on throughout the day.

5.      Self-massage

When you don’t have time to book in with a professional or a visit to the spa, self-massage at home is a great thing to do in 30 minutes or less of self-care. It helps to relax your muscles and, in some cases, can provide relief from mild pain.

Tools are available to buy that can assist with massage, otherwise, making small circles with your thumbs over areas that feel tense or sore is a good method. Focus on common areas that hold tension, including your neck, shoulders, and lower back. Try giving yourself a foot rub, and you might be surprised how tense they are.

Or you could take a little more time than usual to moisturise – try giving yourself a home facial, concentrating on easing tension across your forehead, temples, and jaw.

6.      Make a healthy snack

Maintaining a balanced diet has a multitude of health benefits. According to the NHS, this can include a stronger immune system, improved heart health, along with stronger teeth and bones.

Eating a balanced diet can help to make you feel more awake and alert for your day and provides the energy and nutrients you need to stay active. It can also help to regulate your mood by maintaining sugar levels in your body.

For your 30 minutes of self-care, try making a healthy snack and take some time to truly savour the flavours and textures. You might even try making overnight oats to enjoy the next morning.

Finding time for self-care can be difficult, but the benefits are well worth the effort. This list has focused on things you can do by yourself, but it’s also a good idea to share them with others. Inviting a friend along for your walk or catching up over a cup of tea can also be beneficial to your mental health.

While this article has focused on things you can easily add to your day, you should also think about longer-term life changes. It could be that you begin to make changes to your diet, like lowering the amount of caffeine, or you could find a new hobby to dive into. Try identifying the things that cause you stress and take steps to deal with them.

Sleep keeps us healthy and helps our brains function properly, as well as letting our body repair and re-energise.

However, thousands of us are still struggling to switch off and get the recommended hours of sleep needed for our health. In fact, in the UK alone, there were over 8,000 Google searches for “sleep better” in the last 30 days.  

With that being said, sleep experts at Bed Kingdom have revealed five reasons you may struggle to fall asleep and how to establish a better sleep routine.  

1. Don’t eat before bed 

Eating a meal, or even snacks, before bed could keep you awake at night. Eating food at night can throw off your body’s circadian rhythm (sleep-wake cycle), meaning that your body won’t be shutting down to fall asleep.

Digesting food late at night can also keep you awake. When we eat late at night, the muscles that digest our food have to keep working when they should be resting. This can delay your ability to fall asleep and prevent you from getting a deep, restful sleep that you need to feel refreshed the next day. 

Make sure to eat your final meal at least 2-3 hours before bed. It’s also beneficial to try and eat your meals at the same times every day. Consistent mealtimes mean that your body’s circadian rhythm can work more efficiently, resulting in better sleep.  

2. Darken your bedroom 

1.  

When it is dark, our bodies produce melatonin. Commonly referred to as the “hormone of darkness”, melatonin helps us to fall asleep by regulating our body temperature and putting us into a state of restfulness. 

Our bodies naturally produce more melatonin when it is dark, so having bright lights in your bedroom can reduce melatonin production, meaning you’ll feel wide awake. Even if you do manage to fall asleep, you may not get enough REM (rapid eye movement) sleep that the body needs.  

Make your bedroom darker by using blackout blinds or curtains. Light from the sun and moon, as well as streetlights, can enter the bedroom through windows, making it difficult to sleep. Close your bedroom door if you get any light from the hallway, or even use an eye mask, and make sure to stow away any electronics when it comes to nighttime.  

3. Know your stress triggers 

Many people who are experiencing stress in their lives have a hard time falling asleep. High-stress levels can make falling asleep extremely difficult, which can, in effect, cause more stress due to limited sleep. Problems at work, financial worries, or relationship issues can be reasons why stress is keeping you up at night.  

Knowing your stress triggers can be vital to getting the rest you need. You may be able to find ways to get rid of any stresses, like asking for help if tasks get to be too much or dropping some of your responsibilities when possible. 

Regular exercise could help combat stress-related insomnia, avoid caffeine, and stick to a strict sleep schedule. CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) may also help to reduce stress. By identifying irrational thoughts and replacing them with more positive ones, you may be able to change your behaviours and ultimately sleep better.  

4. Limit your alcohol intake 

Whilst consuming alcohol might make you tired, it can affect your sleep quality, meaning you may wake up more often than usual. 

Sleep is separated into two types: rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep, and alcohol can affect both. REM sleep is the deepest and most restorative sleep, and drinking alcohol can reduce the amount of REM sleep you have at night, meaning you will feel tired in the mornings the next day. 

Drinking alcohol before bed can also worsen sleep apnea. This common disorder occurs when the airway collapses or becomes blocked during sleep. Alcohol can work as a muscle relaxant, meaning that this problem can worsen. 

Stop drinking at least four hours before bed, and drink lots of water to flush the alcohol out of your system before bed.  

5. Switch off your screen 

Screen time before bed can stimulate the brain, meaning you will feel wide awake when it is time to doze off. Your mind will stay active even after scrolling through social media or checking your emails before bed. 

The light from the screen can also repress melatonin levels, meaning your body won’t be telling you it’s time to rest. The light from a screen too close to your face can also be bad for your vision, meaning you can feel dizzy or get a headache just before you go to bed, which will negatively affect your sleep quality.  

Try to stop using your electronic devices at least one hour before bed. Reading a book, having a bath, or even going for a walk are better ways to wind down just before you go to bed. 

How many hours of sleep does an adult need? 

Although the amount of rest you get each day is important, other aspects of your sleep also contribute to your health and well-being. Good sleep quality is also essential, so it’s important to limit any factors affecting your rest quality. For an adult, between seven and nine hours each night are recommended. If you need support or further advice on your rest schedule, speak to your GP or a health professional.   

When it comes to looking after our health, statistics reveal that many of us are ignoring the warning signs, don’t know what to look out for, or aren’t checking for them in the first place.

For example, a YouGov survey found that in 2021 at least 1 in 5 women had not checked themselves for signs of breast cancer in the past year.

There is truth to the saying prevention is the best medicine.

Catching serious illnesses early is often one of the best ways to get treatment for and/or manage the illness.

However, it’s clear that there are several barriers that stop people from seeking medical advice and treatment.

This can lead to potentially serious consequences for health, both physical and mental, including delayed diagnosis and worse outcomes.

With some insights from Jonjo Hancock-Fell, at private health cover provider: Westfield Health, let’s take a closer look at some of the reasons why people could be ignoring their symptoms.

1.      Age

With age comes varying attitudes towards illnesses that can cause individuals to not seek out treatment.

One study from Healthspan found that 24% of adults had in the past ignored symptoms because they felt they were too young to worry about potentially serious illnesses.

For older generations, there is also a tendency to take a ‘stiff upper lip’ attitude towards health, which often means not seeking help.

This is particularly true when it comes to mental health. Research from 2020 found that the majority of people over the age of 65 who had experienced depression and anxiety did not seek help because they saw it as something they should just ‘get on with.

2.      Socioeconomic status

Much research has been done into health inequalities in poorer and wealthier areas in the UK, which can often be seen through mortality rates and the types of health conditions.

Another important aspect of this is how it can also impact an individual’s likelihood to go to their doctor with health concerns.

Worries about taking time off for appointments or being unable to work throughout treatment can contribute to this.

Recent research from Nationwide found that 43% of people would put off going to the doctor because of financial concerns, even if they were worried about a serious illness.

3.      Feelings of shame and embarrassment

Another common reason why individuals avoid or delay treatment is because of feelings of shame, embarrassment, or not wanting to be a burden on healthcare providers. 

One recent survey commissioned by Pancreatic Cancer Action found that 27% of people were too embarrassed about their symptoms to seek out treatment.

The same survey also found that 37% of people were worried about wasting a doctor’s time with their concerns.

Research shows that as many as three in five people avoid accessing healthcare because they don’t want to bother the NHS.

4.      Fear of diagnosis

For some individuals, it’s the fear of diagnosis that causes them to ignore their health and thus avoid potentially bad news.

One study revealed nearly 6 in 10 people’s biggest healthcare fear is getting a cancer diagnosis, which could lead to some ignoring symptoms or just not checking for them.  

The fear of diagnosis can lead to denial over health concerns – but this can have terrible consequences.

In the case of most cancers, the difference between detecting it early or at a later stage can be life-changing. For lung cancer, according to Cancer Research UK, 9 in 10 people will survive for at least 1 year when the cancer is detected at its earliest stage. But if it is not found until an advanced stage, this number falls to 2 in 10.

5.      Gender

Gender can also be a contributing factor to delaying treatment, with women more likely to feel like they will be ignored.

In the UK, in 2022, 44% of women reported that they felt like their health concerns weren’t being taken seriously by medical professionals.

The next two main barriers to accessing healthcare were a lack of understanding of women’s lives and experiences (39%) and a lack of understanding of female bodies (34%).

Another survey conducted by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in 2021 found that 84% of women had experienced feelings of ‘not being listened to by healthcare professionals.

This is a problem that urgently needs addressing, as it may cause some women to downplay their own concerns when it comes to their health.

Common assumptions can also lead to disparities for certain illnesses more commonly associated with men or women.

The same survey from YouGov mentioned earlier found that nearly 70% of men had never checked themselves for signs of breast cancer at all.

This is despite 80% reporting that they were aware they could develop breast cancer.

For trans and gender-diverse people, the picture can be even more worrying.

Current research shows discrimination as a reason individuals ignore their health.

One study from TransActual in 2021 found that 57% of transgender people had delayed seeing or chosen not to see their GP because of fears of transphobia or being refused treatment.

6.      Racial barriers

A recent review led by the University of Manchester into ethnic healthcare inequalities in the UK discovered that people from ethnic minority backgrounds were also delaying treatment due to fears of experiencing racism.

Cultural stigmas can also be a contributing factor to avoiding seeking help. For example, diagnosing dementia early

is hugely important for the patient to be able to plan for their future.

Yet the stigma surrounding mental health is often cited as one of the main reasons why Muslim communities, for example, tend not to seek help for dementia until it reaches a crisis point.

The lack of culturally sensitive services available can be another reason for patients from ethnic backgrounds to feel locked out of healthcare.

What does this mean?

Whatever worries or fears you may be experiencing, they shouldn’t come before your health.

Much work is still needed to improve health services and break down the barriers that are stopping people from accessing healthcare, but help is always available.

Whether through the National Health Service or through private health insurance, don’t bury your head in the sand when it comes to your health.

It can be unpleasant or even scary, but the importance of seeking help if you have concerns about your health cannot be overstated. Doing so can dramatically increase survival rates or improve outcomes.

If you or someone who you know is suffering from loneliness. Here are some top tips on how you can solve this problem.

1. Know that loneliness can impact anyone, no matter their relationship status, health, wealth, family set-up, career, age, gender, and sexuality. You are not doing anything WRONG!
2. Accepting that feelings of loneliness can come and go – it’s rarely a permanent state and can impact anyone. But acknowledging that it’s essential to recognise and confront.
3. Loneliness stems from a lack of connection. There are many forms of disconnection, from social distancing and isolation during lockdowns, homeworking and lack of social interaction, reliance on social media, and ‘at a distant’ relationships. Identifying some of the sources of disconnection in your life can help you challenge loneliness.
4. What’s your purpose? Identifying this can help focus your thoughts, efforts and intentions on a broader level. Giving meaning to your day and your actions can make a big difference to the feelings of loneliness.
5. Accept there is no quick-fix solution to loneliness. Jumping into a relationship with someone who isn’t right for you won’t make you feel less lonely. Plenty of people in relationships who live with a partner or family feel intense loneliness.
6. Look at who you have in your life right now. In De-Twat Your Life!, one of the practical steps is to consider who deserves a seat on your ‘Top Team’. Carolyn has designed this ‘tool’ to assess the critical people in your network and then make informed decisions about them based on what role they perform in your team and their impact on you. There are 12 characters such as Motivator, Financier, Cheerleader, Challenger and Helper. Each has possible positive and negative behavioural implications. Still, by evaluating the critical people in your life against these, you can keep close to you the right ones and distance yourself from the wrong ones.

An innovative new COVID-safe app has been launched in the UK to fight the ‘tsunami’ of mental health problems.

The app called My Pocket Therapist connects anyone needing help to a range of therapists including psychotherapists, counsellors, hypnotherapists, cognitive behavioural therapists and more.

Clients choose therapists from a list of video profiles. Sessions are conducted via video call and are COVID-secure. 

This means that anyone self-isolating or in lockdown can access mental health services without leaving their house.

The app vastly reduces appointment waiting times, and anyone wanting to see a therapist can connect to one within an hour of requesting help.

Founder of My Pocket Therapist, Daniel Solden, said:

“My Pocket Therapist serves as a vital lifeline and has been designed to help people access mental health services when they most need it, as quickly as possible. 

It is convenient, and anyone can use the service from their own home or phone. During COVID-19, many people are under lockdown, working alone, and cannot physically access any of their routine services. 

He added: “Some people who have not ever had mental health problems now need to see a therapist urgently and can’t due to crippling waiting times and restrictions. “

The app allows you to view therapists’ video profiles and see someone in an hour.

However, the downside is that to book a therapist isn’t cheap as prices start from £60 for a 50-minute session. That’s a week’s money for someone who is unemployed or on disability benefits.

You can only download the app from the Apple store, so you need an iPhone. 

Download the app and let us know what you think about using “My Personal Therapist or what you’re doing to help fight your mental health.

Let us know in the comments below or on our social media.

Did you know that you can now receive help for gaming addiction on the NHS?

If you have a child or teenager who is constantly on their Playstations or Xbox’s they may have a gaming addiction.

The NHS now provides help for children hooked on games such as FIFA and Fortnite video gaming is now classified as a mental health disorder by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The popularity of gaming has led to viewing records on the streaming site Twitch.

Counseling for gaming addiction has come into play due to evidence that young players and teenagers are suffering from psychological distress and family breakdown as a result of their addiction.

In June The Daily Telegraph revealed that a 15-year-old gaming addict in London had been hospitalised for eight weeks and off school for a year after losing the confidence to go outside.

Here’s what to look at for if you think your child may have a gaming addiction:

• Children who are constantly talking about games obsessively

• Play for hours both day and night

• Deny they have an obsession when they are told they spend too much time on the computer

• Get angry and answer you back when they are told to turn their games off

• Children stay up all hours and neglect their sleep in order to play games

• Hide or downplay time spent gaming

• Seem preoccupied, depressed, or lonely

• Studies show that excessive gaming (approximately 3 hours per week) by youths is linked with increased levels of depression, anxiety, and social phobia, all of which can last years into the future.

•You can educate yourself by visiting websites like video-game-addiction.org and On-Line Gamers Anonymous

It’s not too late to help your child to overcome gaming addiction.

If you think your child spends too much time playing games on the computer, don’t just leave it and ignore it, make an appointment with your GP and call one of the numbers above for advice.

For mental health sufferers, Christmas can be stressful, which is why you should look be looking after yourself during the festive holidays.

Whether you are feeling high or low or ok, it’s easy to get carried away with drinking, overeating, overspending, and not sleeping.

Here are some essential tips on how to look after yourself during the festive holidays.

Always make time for exercise
It can be easy to get carried away with alcohol and food that you wouldn’t usually eat but remember to burn off anything you consume.

Don’t just sit on the couch and eat junk food. Make sure you eat in moderation and get off that couch and go for a short walk or if you have a Play Station, Xbox or a Nintendo Switch play a few games on it.

I will be away from home this year for a week over the festive holidays, which messes up my daily gym and swim routine.

I will be getting my exercise by walking with the children and playing on my Nintendo Wii. I’m in London for two days so I will be walking a fair bit.

If you need to take a nap take one
All those late nights and rushing around can make you feel tired. Don’t be ashamed if you need a little rest during the day.

If you are tired, take one. You will feel more energised about it. The late thing you want to do is rush around and come down with the flu or cold due to feeling run down.

Drink alcohol in moderation and drink water in between
Make sure that you drink alcohol in moderation, especially if you are on medication.

You aren’t supposed to drink with medication.

However, a cheeky glass of Bucks Fizz should be ok as long as you are sensible and aren’t drinking alone.

You should also try drinking water in between, so you are less likely to dehydrate and end up with a bad hangover.

Make lists
If it’s your turn to make the Christmas dinner for the family at your house, make sure that you make a list of what everyone wants.

You don’t want to be rushing around a busy supermarket, not knowing what to buy.

Grab what you want and come straight out.

Supermarkets are the most stressful places this time of year.

Take a long hot bath
One of the best ways to relax is by having a nice warm bath.

I like to use Lush bath bombs when I’m feeling a little under the weather.

My favourite is the Dragon’s Egg which my mum or sister usually buys me for Christmas, and they also make great stocking fillers.

Read a good book
There’s nothing more relaxing than having a hot bath and sitting on the sofa in your pajamas with a hot chocolate and a good book.

This year I have started reading more books about blogging, PPC, SEO, Social media, and autobiographies.

It helps me switch off from all the daily distractions, and it has also helped to improve my writing and grammar.

If you have any tips on how you will be looking after yourself during the festive holidays, we would love to hear from you in the comment section below or on our social media channels.